Guitar Meditations is a collection of seven short pieces that were written in the “plectrum guitar” style, which is also called “flatpicking.” As author William Bay describes in the book’s introduction, the word Flatpicking is often associated with Country or Bluegrass music, but the solos in this book cover a wide range of musical styles, and are more related to the older use of the term, plectrum guitar.
Review of Sharon Lawrence’s book Jimi Hendrix: The Intimate Story of a Betrayed Musical Legend.
The first thing that grabs you about Star Guitars: 101 Guitars That Rocked The World, is the book’s front cover cut out that frames the psychedelic Cream days axe of Eric Clapton, known as The Fool.
Review of Robert M. Knight’s book featuring many amazing photographs of some of the biggest names in rock history such as Slash, Jeff Beck and others.
Having a strong grasp of right and left hand technique, as well as a fundamental understanding of the building blocks of music, chords-scales-arpeggios, is an essential ingredient in the development of any successful guitarist. In itself, the guitar is an innately technical instrument. One that is built on shapes (chord grips, scale patterns etc.), and that lends itself to the in-depth study of countless scale permutations, finger gymnastics and other technical aerobics.
Chappell takes readers through every step of the recording process; from selecting the right guitar to amps and speakers, micing techniques, doubling tracks, adding effects, tracking vs. mixing, a glossary of important audio and recording terms, and a detailed synopsis on how to dial in the sounds of 14 classic guitarists from Dimebag Darrell, Eddie Van Halen, and Kirk Hammett to Hendrix, Stevie Ray Vaughn, Steve Morse, and Sonny Landreth. Beyond that, advice from recording industry pros such as Carl Verheyen, Al Di Meola, Alex Lifeson, and Phil Ramone explain dozens of studio tips and tricks—digital delay cascade effects, capoing, setting up a guitar for slide, using multieffects processors inline and more—for players and engineers alike to keep in their arsenal. Hundreds of diagrams and pictures throughout leave no question unanswered.
January 23, 2010 marks the 100th birthday of the late Django Reinhardt. Most jazz guitarists are aware of his music and his life story.
